Router

A Router is a networking device that essentially functions as a traffic director on the Internet. It manages rapid packet forwarding and specialized security functions such as encryption. Data sent through the internet, such as a web page or email, is in the form of data packets. A router is connected to two or more data lines from different networks. When a data packet comes in on one of the lines, the router reads the network address information in the packet to determine its destination. Then, using information from its routing table or routing policy, it directs the packet to the next network on its journey.